Question

   

I think there are several reasons that suggest developing robots is a waste of money.

In San Diego recently $325,000 was spent on inventing a robotic squirrel to do some scientific experiments. The research proved that squirrels are able to scare away snakes by wagging (摇动) their tails. Do you need a robotic squirrel to work this out?

What about AIBO, a robotic pet, developed in Japan? In Japanese aibou means “buddy”. These pets have been developed at huge cost mainly to provide entertainment. They've been used in movies and music videos. Universities have used them for educational purposes. However, in 2006 the company stopped producing these robotic pets in order to save money. Was it worth a lot of money?

Then there’s NAO, a robot which has been developed by a French company. Its main purpose is to make life easier for humans. It speaks 19 languages and has its own personality. It can tell children a story, help in the classroom or the home, or act as a companion to those people who need someone to be with. A fully developed one costs $16,000. Is that value for money? Who can afford it anyway?

There may be good reasons why it is worth developing robots, but so far I haven’t thought of any.

1.What does the underlined word “companion” in Paragraph 4 mean in Chinese?

A.公司 B.机构 C.对手 D.伙伴

2.What is the true fact about the robots mentioned?

A.The robotic squirrel is needed by every scientist to do some research.

B.AIBO wasn’t made any more because it only provided entertainment.

C.A fully developed NAO may tell kids stories in different languages.

D.All the three types of robots used to be produced at a very low cost.

3.What does the writer think of developing robots?

A.It can help bring people a lot of fun. B.It has advantages in many ways.

C.It may be useful but costs too much. D.It is worth a great deal of money.

Answer

1.D

2.C

3.C

【解析】

文章大意：本文作者通过举例说明开发机器人是浪费钱，开发机器人可能有很好的理由，但作者目前还没想到。

1.

词义猜测题。根据画线词所在语境“act as a companion to those people who need someone to be with”讲“作那些需要陪伴的人的一名____”，结合选项可知应是“伙伴”。故选D。

2.

细节理解题。根据第2段中“In San Diego recently $325,000 was spent on inventing a robotic squirrel to do some scientific experiments. ”讲到发明松鼠机器人来做一些科学实验，并未提到每个科学家都需要，A项错误；根据第2段中“However, in 2006 the company stopped producing these robotic pets in order to save money.”可知停止生产AIBO是为了省钱，B项错误；根据第3段中“It speaks 19 languages and has its own personality. It can tell children a story ...”可知一个完全开发的NAO可以用不同的语言给孩子讲故事，C项正确；根据文中价格信息“$325,000”“at huge cost”“$16,000”可知这些机器人的生产耗资巨大，D项错误。故选C。

3.

观点态度题。根据第一段中“I think there are several reasons that suggest developing robots is a waste of money.”及文中例子可知作者认为开发机器人可能是有用的，但花费太多，是在浪费钱。故选C。